I shake and clear my head. There’s no time to think about any of that now. I’ll suppress my feelings until I’m forced to deal with them.
“Sure, go ahead. I’ll go see if my mom needs help with breakfast or anything.” I flash him a smile, hoping he relaxes.
“Okay.” He opens the door and walks down the hallway.
Do guys always wake up with morning wood? Brandon did occasionally, but now I’m wondering if it’s a regular occurance for some men. My experience in that department is minimal, and I’m pretty sure Googling that question would lead me to some scary websites.
Grabbing my phone, I open my messages and text Sophie.
Lennon: Forgot to tell you we made it here safe and sound. Mom and Dad love Hunter (shocker, right?) and today is when the REAL fun begins.
Sophie: About damn time, woman! I wasn’t sure if they kicked your asses out or not. I mean, based on the situation, it was kind of a toss-up.
Lennon: Funny. Well, just for future reference, they’d much prefer a daughter who secretly got married and knocked up versus one who gets pregnant out of wedlock.
Sophie: Duly noted.
Lennon: Anyway. Do all guys get morning wood?
Sophie: Why would you assume I’d know the answer to that? Also, does Hunter?
Sighing, I should’ve figured she’d ask that.
Lennon: Why do you think I’m asking! Brandon did sometimes, but Hunter has all three times we slept in the same bed together. Is that normal?
Sophie: Probably when there’s a body pressed against it. Especially YOUR body.
I groan, wondering why I even asked her in the first place.
Lennon: I bet that’s uncomfortable for men. Kinda explains why he’s always so moody in the morning.
Sophie: Where is he right now?
Lennon: In the shower.
Sophie: And I rest my case.
Lennon: What case?
Sophie: You gave him morning wood, and now he needs to go “relieve” himself.
Rolling my eyes, I quickly type out my response.
Lennon: Oh yeah, I’m sure my pregnant ass is such an aphrodisiac. He probably had a sex dream about someone else.
Sophie: Keep lying to yourself, sis, but it doesn’t stop the fact that he’s the one who came up with this idea in the first place and has been all-too-eager to play the role of your husband.
Lennon: He’s doing it as a friend, Soph. For Brandon.
Sophie: Mmhmm.
Lennon: Ugh! I’m going to text my FAVORITE sister from now on.
Sophie: Nice try. It’s you two who are constantly fighting over that title, not me. Either way, I love you, and I’m glad the plan is working.
My shoulders slump as I re-read her last few messages. Even if she was right about Hunter, it doesn’t change that Jenna could be carrying his baby or change the dynamic of our friendship. We agreed to push it all aside for now so we could focus on our fake relationship and that’s exactly what I need to do even if it hurts.
Lennon: I love you too. I’ll tell you all the details when we get back!
Sophie: BTW. Can I tell you how much I HATE CARTER? I’m beginning to hate Maria for allowing him to act this way. After the shit he pulled this morning (I’ll tell you about it later), I’m over this stupid living situation.
Lennon: I’m sorry. It gets better. I promise.
I know she won’t believe that, but it’s all I can do to offer her some peace.
Sophie: Gotta go. Chat soon. Tell your hubby I said hello. Hehe.
I finally make it down to the kitchen where my parents are sitting with their cups of coffee. Groaning about the delicious smell, I wrap my arms around my mom and give her a hug.
“Morning, sweetie. How’d you two sleep?” she asks.
“Good. Hunter’s in the shower now.”
“There are scrambled eggs on the stovetop for you and juice in the fridge. Want some toast?” She loves taking care of her kids, something I missed when I first left.
“Thanks, Mom. I’ll get it.”
As I’m stuffing my face, Hunter comes strolling in wearing nice shorts and a tight fitting T-shirt. I nearly choke on my food when I look at him, remembering how all that hard muscle felt wrapped around me last night and I force the mixed feelings that surface back.
“Morning,” he greets my parents sweetly, reaching for the coffee after my mother tells him to help himself. He grabs a plate of food, then sits at the table.
Hunter flashes me a wink and all my nerves wash away. “Morning, sweetheart.” He leans down, cups my face, then presses a soft kiss on my lips. “Feeling okay?” he asks, looking deep into my eyes.
“Uh, yeah,” I mutter, swallowing down the lump of food in my throat. “Baby’s hungry.”
“Have you had a lot of morning sickness?” my mom asks after Hunter takes a seat.
“No, not really,” I respond. “Certain smells make me sick, but other than that, I’ve been really blessed with an easy first trimester.”